New Balance Women's FuelCell Rebel V2 Speed Running Shoe

Product Information

It was a risk for New Balance to introduce another lightweight, tempo trainer into their performance running lineup.

FuelCell Rebel v3 Review | Coach - coachmaguk New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 Review | Coach - coachmaguk

MEAGHAN: While I’m no Jarrett (our wide-footed / meme generating reviewer ) I do have a wide foot and I’ve always loved the fit of New Balance shoes for this reason. The Rebel 2 continues to accommodate my wide feet and the overall fit is just about perfect. I love the step-in feel and the shoes continue to shine out on the run. The FuelCell is soft and bouncy with a smooth transition from toe-off to landing. It’s just a simple, no-frills, delightful shoe. Not to mention, it’s crazy light. My W7. I get it. You have the first version of the Rebel in your rotation. Maybe you love it, and you’re on your third pair. Or perhaps it wasn’t to your liking, and it’s mostly collecting dust.

Sam: Delightfully bouncy and soft with just enough upper support and midsole/outsole geometry magic to keep things moving forward and steady in a very free spirited and fun way the Rebel v2 set a new standard for a plateless, more natural ride shoe than any in recent years with a far more dynamic and forgiving ride than any of those earlier legends (Kinvara, 1400 maybe, various Altra, Hoka Clifton, etc…).

FuelCell Rebel v3 Review | Running Shoes Guru New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 Review | Running Shoes Guru

The fit of the FuelCell Rebel v2 is wide enough through the mid and forefoot to accommodate most runners. However, if you tend to prefer shoes specially designed for wide feet, you may find the Rebel v2 somewhat constrictive. The Rebel is a great trainer at a favourable price point. Unless you’re partial to a firmer, more stable ride, odds are you’re going to like this shoe. Embracing the Adizero design, the Adidas shoe is a little bit different, while the others remain fairly typical, resembling most tempo shoes on the shelves. Consequently, if you usually find comfort in most speed training shoes, the Rebel v3 is a safe choice. Michael: In sum, I think the Rebel’s on-the-run performance is the best of any non-plated shoe I’ve tried in the recent past. Simply awesome . A total switch from v1 (which was very stiff throughout the midfoot, with an almost plastic-feel), but well worth it.

One notable aspect of the FuelCell product line is that the foam compound may all be FuelCell, but the formulation varies, and it results in a varying underfoot feel. I find some are far less exciting than others, fortunately this is the most lively of the bunch. It’s very soft and bouncy and feels like the top of the line racer – the RC Elite. The soft Fuelcell foam makes even relaxed runs a comfortable affair, and there’s no pressure to go fast. Renee: The Rebel 2 is much more clearly the faster/better shoe overall. I did like the 890v8 and both shoes have a similar platform. The FuelCell in the 890 feels firm whereas the Rebel 2 FuelCell feels soft. Both midsoles become less prominent in that feel after running. The outsole of the 890v8 had durability issues, but I ran with it on country roads whereas I elected to keep my Rebel 2 for pavement only. I found the 890 to be a bit narrow on the lateral side whereas the Rebel 2 felt roomier. I wore a women’s size 8 in both shoes. If you like the 890v8, but want more speed, the Rebel 2 is a great choice. The upper clearly is airy and far less dense than the TC or RC. As a heel striker at slower paces I feared the soft soft foam would be overly soft, out of control, or bottom out so I initially didn’t request a sample but hearing early comments from the team had to try them! I was not disappointed! David: "I absolutely love the Rebel's FuelCell midsole. It feels comfortably soft at slower speeds and super lively at faster paces. I thought the Rebel v2s were really fun to run in, and I always wanted to push the pace when they were on foot."

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v2 Multiple Tester Review

If not for the looming specter of premature upper failure, the New Balance Fuelcell Rebel V2 is a delightful running shoe. It maxes out at 4.30 per kilometre because of its soft nature. It feels best on easy runs or steady runs between 4.30 and 5.30 per kilometre when you’re still striking towards the forefoot of the shoe. Sam: I concur with Cheng above. I would add that both share the same formulation of FuelCell with the plate in the RC making the big difference in feel, ride characteristics and flexibility.

If you liked the second version of the New Balance Rebel, with its cushioning and speed combination, then you’ll love the v3, which delivers an excellent all-rounder, enjoyable shoe for all types of runs. Lightweight and comfortable, the new Rebel v3 is a relatively fun shoe that provides great breathability, a more stable ride, and good value for money.